Securitron MSS-1 - Manual

Securitron Magnalock Corp. www.securitron.com
ASSA ABLOY, the global leader
Tel 800.624.5625 [email protected]
in door opening solutions
© Copyright, 2011, all rights reserved PN# 500-16700
Page 1 Rev. D, 03/13
SECURITRON MODEL MSS-1 MAXIMUM SECURITY SWITCH
INSTALLATION & OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. DESCRIPTION
Securitron’s maximum security magnetic switch is intended to monitor the open or closed
position of doors, windows, machinery safety barriers or other movable assemblies in critical
environments where an attempt to defeat the switch is a concern. The switch includes
numerous design features that make it highly defeat resistant, reduce false alarms and provide
for easy and accurate installation. It is available in two versions to deal with different physical
mounting conditions and may be used indoors or outdoors. Each version consists of two
pieces: the switch module and the magnet pack. The MSS-1 is mainly intended for use on doors
and includes a jacketed cable which can be hidden in the door frame. The MSS-1G provides a
stainless steel jacketed cable which is suitable for a range of applications where the cable cannot
be hidden and must resist possible attack.
2. DEFEAT RESISTANCE ISSUES
The most common approach used to defeat a magnetic switch is to introduce an external
magnet near the switch module so that the door, window or other barrier can be opened without
the switch alarming. The MSS cannot be defeated in this way as its own magnet pack (which
contains a magnet array) must be used to put it into the secure state. If a very powerful
external magnet is used in an attempt to defeat the MSS, it may even put the MSS into alarm.
Another method which represents a more serious threat is when an intruder attempts to defeat
the switch by obtaining a second MSS magnet pack. If access to the MSS can be obtained, the
switch might be defeated by positioning the second magnet pack near the switch module in a
manner that permits the door to be opened without an alarm being signaled.
The MSS design includes two defenses against this risk.
The first is called co-planar operation. The switch
will only respond to the magnet pack if the pack is
located in roughly the same plane as the switch. A
second magnet pack placed in proximity to the switch
will not activate the switch because it will be off-plane.
In effect, there is only room for one magnet pack being
read by the switch at a time, so a second pack cannot
compromise security.
In certain physical situations however it may be
possible to slowly open the door and slowly introduce a
second magnet pack. The MSS includes an extra
defense against this. The product is manufactured in different types. The magnet pack
must be of the same type as the switch module to work. The MSS is delivered as a matched
pair with no marking that identifies its type. Therefore, a person attempting the difficult task of
trying to slowly open a barrier while introducing a second MSS magnet pack in an attempt to
defeat the switch may well have the wrong type pack.
Another attack possibility is removal of the switch module. This can serve several purposes. It
can provide access to the cable (assuming the cable is hidden in the door frame). It can also be
part of an attempt to remove both the switch module and the magnet pack as a unit to permit
opening the door or window without triggering an alarm. To forestall this, the MSS includes a
hidden tamper switch feature. The tamper switch provides a two wire output which is
normally closed and opens if the switch is removed. This line can be separately monitored or
connected in series with the main switch output. See Section 3.
Finally, a very serious threat is removal of the magnet pack from the door. If the magnet pack
can be removed from the door and maintained at a correct distance from the switch module,
clearly the door can be opened without signaling an alarm. The MSS’s mounting methods
coupled with co-planar operation, however, preclude this. See Sections 3.2 and 3.3. To
conclude, in a security application, the MSS’s array of anti-defeat features will almost always
result in the alarm sounding while the switch is being tampered with. This can lead to the
person attempting to defeat the switch being identified and detained.
SWITCH
MAGNET
PACK
CO-PLANAR OPERATION
TO ENHANCE DEFEAT RESISTANCE,
THE MAGNET PACK CAN ONLY BE
READ IN A NARROW ANGLE
IN FRONT OF THE SWITCH.